What we learned as William Eklund's big night spurs Sharks' win vs. Blackhawks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

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SAN JOSE – Forty-eight hours after absorbing a gut-punch loss to the Nashville Predators, the Sharks got up off the mat — or ice — and showed they’ve still got a little bit of fight left in them before a potential meaningful playoff run.

Now it’s just a matter of holding on over the final few weeks.

William Eklund continued to break out of a prolonged slump with a goal and an assist, and the Sharks kept their late-season surge going with a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday at SAP Center.

Kiefer Sherwood added on to what is already a career-best season total with his 22nd goal, while Will Smith scored his 23rd goal of the campaign for the 100th point of his NHL career for San Jose.

Macklin Celebrini had an assist for his 11th point in the last six games.

The Sharks have won five of six and are now 37-32-7.

San Jose began the night two points behind the Predators and Los Angeles Kings for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Those two teams played each other in Los Angeles later Monday night.

Here are the takeaways from Monday:

Eklund scores after goal negated

On a night when the Sharks couldn’t put together much of a sustained attack in the opening frame, having a goal taken off the scoreboard was a huge setback.

Early in the second period, Michael Misa appeared to score following a mini scrum in front of Chicago’s net. But the goal was negated after officials determined that Misa had kicked the puck into the net.

Even that didn’t seem to faze the Sharks.

Five minutes later, Eklund stole the puck near center ice then raced in to fire a shot past Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight for the tying goal.

Eklund also had an assist on Sherwood’s go-ahead goal in the second after taking control of the puck behind the net.

Eky breaks through on the breakaway 🙌 pic.twitter.com/A1fPW5oyY7

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) April 7, 2026

Chief Kief for the lead 😈 pic.twitter.com/h5r3M2ZJ2D

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) April 7, 2026

Ned shuts the shed

It looked like it might be a long night for the Sharks after goalie Alex Nedeljkovic allowed a Blackhawks goal in the first period. Instead, the 30-year-old backup goalie settled in and held down the fort.

Nedeljkovic faced a lot of heat early and shook off the early goal to finish with 27 saves. The Blackhawks kept firing hard shots at the Sharks goalie, who held up with some remarkable saves — including a brilliant glove save with 1:19 left in the game.

Ned saves the day 🥵 pic.twitter.com/he4g5xMhyP

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) April 7, 2026

Chicago got its second goal on a power play in the third period.

Yaroslav Askarov has received the majority of starts in net this season, but Nedeljkovic has been very steady and has gotten better throughout the season.

Early missed opportunities

Despite some thrilling late comebacks this season, the Sharks have had a mostly difficult time rallying after falling behind in the first period.

They were able to overcome their early misses on Monday, although the entire night would have been a lot more comfortable had anything else gone in.

Collin Graf and Celebrini each had early one-on-one opportunities near the Blackhawks net in the first period but failed to cash in.

Vincent Desharnais had an open look from the left circle later in the opening period, but it was blocked. A few moments later, San Jose was on a power play but got little action off the man advantage.

The missed opportunities continued after that as Celebrini (twice) and Tyler Toffoli both missed point-blank shots near the crease.

Download and follow the San Jose Hockey Now podcast

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rickard Rakell has been on fire as of late. 

Rakell has scored in five straight games and seven of his last eight, helping the Penguins get within a win of their first playoff berth since the 2021-22 season. 

His five-game goal-scoring streak and eight-game point streak are the longest active streaks in the NHL. The NHL recognized it, naming Rakell the First Star of the Week on Monday. 

Ricky Raks running the show ⭐️

The @NHL has named Rickard Rakell as First Star for the week of March 30. Details: https://t.co/zKCU41z9kupic.twitter.com/JRybZ7vW3B

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 6, 2026

Rakell compiled seven goals and eight points in five games this past week and now has 24 goals and 48 points in 57 games. He'd be over 30 goals if he hadn't missed several weeks earlier in the season.

Rakell has 11 goals in his last 10 games and 14 goals since the NHL came back from the 2026 Winter Olympics. He's done all of this while going back and forth between center and wing. However, he's settled in at center a bit more as of late. 

He will try to help the Penguins clinch a playoff berth against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.

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Towards the tail end of the Vancouver Canucks’ Monday morning practice, a familiar face was spotted taking to the ice just as other players began to come off. 

With the rest of his teammates in black, yellow, or white in preparation for tomorrow’s black skate matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights, Filip Chytil popped out from the dressing room tunnel wearing a blue jersey and a full face shield. The forward joined Canucks skills coach Jason Krog for an on-ice workout prior to Vegas’ practice later on. 

While this is not the first time Chytil has been spotted at a Canucks practice in the past couple of weeks, this doesn’t mean the forward will be returning to in-game action any time soon. When asked about the forward’s possible return to the lineup this season, Canucks Head Coach Adam Foote didn’t fully commit to an answer. 

“Maybe, but I know that the medical staff would like him just to get up to form and get into a couple practices, and to go home in the summer knowing that he's been cleared is probably the idea.” 

The facial fracture Chytil sustained in mid-February is only one of a few injury instances that have seen him miss time this season. A hit by Tom Wilson against the Washington Capitals kept the centre out from October 19 to the middle of January. Later, Chytil also departed from Vancouver’s matchup against the Utah Mammoth on February 2. This was the last game Chytil has played in so far this season. 

Vancouver will face Vegas tomorrow night at 7:00 pm PT before heading on the road for three games in California. 

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The Nashville Predators will likely be without defenseman Nic Hague on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings, as they have recalled defenseman Jordan Oesterle from the Milwaukee Admirals.

Hague suffered an apparent upper-body injury in the Predators' game against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday and left the game early. 

Oesterle is having a strong season in the AHL, recording 46 points (14 goals, 32 assists) in 65 games. Prior to the recall, Oesterle was riding a seven-game point streak, tallying 11 points in that run.

He's had six points in his last three games. 

Oesterle is a veteran defenseman, now in his 14th professional season. From 2016 to 2024, he played full-time in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes, Detroit Red Wings and Calgary Flames. 

#Preds Roster Update:
We've recalled defenseman Jordan Oesterle from the @mkeadmirals.

Full details ⬇️ https://t.co/HAfIlcRE24

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) April 6, 2026

Over his career, he's tallied 96 points in 408 NHL games. Despite this being his first call-up of the 2025-26 season, he's a veteran presence on the blue line that the Predators could benefit from.

Oesterle saw action in 15 games last season, recording three goals and an assist for four points and logged two penalty minutes. 

The stakes are high in Monday night's game as two points would break a tie with the Los Angeles Kings for the final Wild Card spot. Both teams have 71 points, but Nashville has the regulation wins tiebreaker. 

Puckdrop is at 9:30 p.m. CST. 

The Chicago Blackhawks are going to take on the San Jose Sharks to close out their three-game Western road trip. This will be Chicago’s final road game of the 2025-26 season. 

Of course, unless one is out of the lineup for whatever reason, Sharks vs Blackhawks will be headlined by the player matchup between Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini for a long time. Of course, they were back-to-back first overall picks in 2023 and 2024. 

Scouting San Jose 

The San Jose Sharks are in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference. Earning the second Wild Card spot is on the table for them, and they need every point they can get. With two head-to-head matchups between the two between now and season’s end, the Blackhawks will heavily influence the fate of the Sharks. 

Graf-Celebrini-Smith

Eklund-Wennberg-Sherwood

Chernyshov-Misa-Toffoli

Goodrow-Ostapchuk-Dellandrea

Orlov-Desharnais

Mukhamadullin-Ferraro

Dickinson-Leddy

Nedeljkovic

Macklin Celebrini was absent from the morning skate, but this is San Jose’s way of giving him a rest. He plays a lot of minutes, and it’s pivotal to the success of the team. 

Other young players with outstanding skill, like William Eklund, Will Smith, Michael Misa, Shakir Mukhamadullin, and Sam Dickinson, all play key roles in the success of the team, while veterans like Tyler Toffoli, Dmitry Orlov, and Alexander Wennberg contribute. 

Alex Nedeljkovic will start in goal for the San Jose Sharks. If they can find a way to score some goals, largely thanks to the play of Macklin Celebrini, Nedeljkovic is good enough to help them win. San Jose only has two wins in games that Celebrini doesn’t have a point, so containing him is the biggest key to victory for all of their opponents.  

Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago

The Blackhawks played a strong 60-minute game against the Kraken on Saturday, and repeating that effort is among their top priorities as their season winds down. Creating good habits and a winning culture could be beneficial to the 2026-27 season. 

Greene - Bedard - Lardis

Bertuzzi - Frondell - Mikheyev

Donato - Nazar - Mangiapane

Teravainen - Boisvert - Slaggert

Vlasic - Rinzel

Kaiser - Crevier

Korchinski - Del Mastro

Knight

Andrew Mangiapane is going to draw back into the lineup. It is likely going to be in place of Andre Burakovsky, who may be a scratch based on his late departure from the morning skate in San Jose. 

Jeff Blashill wouldn’t confirm or deny that thought process, so the true line combinations will have to wait until warmups. Spencer Knight will start in goal for the Blackhawks against the Sharks. 

This is likely to be another game with Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Anton Frondell forming a three-headed monster down the middle. If so, that makes the Blackhawks a dangerous attacking team with those three coming in waves. 

Coming off a game in which he scored his first career NHL goal, Sacha Boisvert will likely round out the centers. With the wingers and defensemen committed to a certain defensive game, this team can skate with anyone. Against another young team like the Sharks, it will take a village to get it done, as it usually does in the NHL. 

For the Blackhawks, this is the last time that this team, as currently constructed, will be on the road together. After this game, they will return to Chicago for a four-game home-stand to finish the 2025-26 season. 

How To Watch

The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it is available on CHSN locally. Nationally, it is available to stream on ESPN+. The puck will drop shortly after 9:00 PM CT. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay up to date on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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There are games that hinge on moments, and while this game certainly did at the end, it also validated a process.

The Philadelphia Flyers’ 2–1 overtime win over the Boston Bruins was a game that demanded patience, discipline, and emotional control against an opponent built to disrupt all three.

The result secured a 2–1 season series win over Boston. More importantly, it reinforced something more consequential: the Flyers are suddenly no longer chasing an unlikely postseason spot. With these two points, they're putting the Eastern Conference on notice that they control their own destiny, and they're comfortable in the driver's seat.

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1. Porter Martone’s Breakthrough Was the Result of Process

For four games, Porter Martone had been building toward something.

Twenty shots. Consistent involvement. Visible confidence.

No goal.

That changed in the most emphatic way possible.

Martone’s overtime winner—his first NHL goal—was a milestone and a culmination. It made him the first player in franchise history to score his first NHL goal in overtime, and subsequently blew the roff of Xfinity Mobile Arena, but it was not just a fortunate bounce or an opportunistic finish.

PORTER MARTONE IS A PHILADELPHIA FLYER!! 🟠 pic.twitter.com/sV1HtQUvo4

— NHL (@NHL) April 5, 2026

Martone has approached the NHL game with an assertiveness that is difficult to manufacture, especially for a 19-year-old with about a week of NHL experience under his belt. He has not waited for space; he has created it. He has not deferred; he has engaged. And in doing so, he has consistently put himself in positions to influence outcomes.

“It’s awesome, especially for it to come that way in overtime,” Martone said. “An overtime winner as your first NHL goal is pretty special. I think just continue to playing my game; that’s who I am. My linemates have been setting me up great, and it’s nice to see that one go in.”

Martone understands what his game is, and more importantly, he is committed to playing it.

Head coach Rick Tocchet sees the same thing.

“You can just tell he’s a hockey player," Tocchet noted postgame. "He loves the game, even on the bench. He’s a very engaged kid. He’s not afraid to say something. He was talking about the power play, saying to some guys, ‘Hey, I’ll be here, you’ll be here.’ I like that.”

That level of engagement—tactically and emotionally—is rare for a player this early in his career.

The goal was the moment, but the process is the story.

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2. Game Management Has Become a Defining Strength

In games like this, the difference is obviously in talent, but it is also in timing.

The Flyers managed the game extremely well, understanding when to push, when to absorb pressure, and when to simplify.

“I thought game management was better tonight,” Tocchet said. “There’s a lot of growth… a little bit of a rollercoaster sometimes, but, for the most part, this team has stuck together all year. I’m really proud of them.”

That growth was evident in subtle ways.

The Flyers limited unnecessary risks in transition and avoided overcommitting offensively. They maintained structure even when Boston increased physicality and tempo.

These are not exactly headline-grabbing elements, but they are the foundation of winning tight games.

Earlier in the season, this is the kind of game the Flyers might have lost—not because they were outplayed, but because they lost control of key moments. Against Boston, they stayed within themselves.

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3. They Matched Boston’s Physical and Emotional Identity Without Losing Theirs

The Bruins' style is physical, emotionally charged, and designed to pull opponents out of structure. Against them, discipline is not optional—it is essential. The Flyers met that challenge directly.

They did not shy away from contact. Instead, they engaged physically, supported one another in scrums, and matched Boston’s intensity shift for shift. But crucially, they did not allow that intensity to dictate their decisions.

It requires a team to be both reactive and controlled—to respond physically without compromising positional structure. The Flyers managed it effectively, and in doing so, prevented the game from becoming chaotic.

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4. Christian Dvorak and the Flyers’ Depth Continue to Stabilize the Lineup

While Martone’s goal will define the highlight, the foundation of the win was built earlier.

Christian Dvorak opened the scoring and added an assist, marking his 11th multi-point game of the season and continuing a strong recent stretch.

The rookie and the vet get us going. 🤝#BOSvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyerspic.twitter.com/cXAg5LqdL5

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) April 5, 2026

His impact all season has been less about flash and more about reliability.

Dvorak has become a stabilizing presence—connecting plays, supporting defensively, and contributing offensively without disrupting the team’s structure. In games that require patience and precision, those qualities become magnified.

This is what the Flyers have been building toward: a lineup where contributions are layered, not isolated. It allows them to withstand different types of games—whether high-scoring or tightly contested without needing to alter their identity.

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5. Preparation, Not Pressure, Is Driving Their Late-Season Approach

The most revealing insight from this game came before it even began.

“I was a little nervous,” Tocchet admitted postgame. “[But] you don’t want to make people more nervous. I said before the game, you should be stressed if you’re not prepared… I think our team’s prepared to play. Whether we execute and all that stuff, who knows? But, for the most part, we’re prepared to play the game, so why get stressed?”

They are not ignoring the stakes. They understand the standings. They feel the urgency. But they are not allowing that urgency to dictate their approach.

Preparation, in this context, becomes a stabilizer. It allows the Flyers to enter high-pressure games with clarity rather than anxiety—to focus on execution rather than consequence. And in games like this, where one mistake can define the outcome, that mental framework is as important as any tactical adjustment.

They showed that they are learning—not just how to play, but how to win in the kind of playoff-esque, high-pressure games that define seasons.

Now, the challenge is simple.

Do it again.

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Edmonton Oilers are among the frontrunners to land 21-year-old German unsigned UFA, Viet Oswald.

Seravalli writes:

Two undrafted free agents generating NHL interest:  RW Veit Oswald, 21, Red Bull Munich. The Oilers are the betting favorite, strong handful of teams interested." He adds that center Vitali Pinchuk is also getting interest, but didn't note if the Oilers were among the 15+ or so teams in on him. 

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Two undrafted free agents generating #NHL interest:

> RW Veit Oswald, 21, Red Bull Munich. #LetsGoOilers are the betting favorite, strong handful of teams interested.

> C Vitali Pinchuk, 24, Minsk. 6-foot-3. 66 pts in 65 GP. 3rd in goals, 6th in points. 15+ teams interested.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 6, 2026

What To Know About Oswald

Oswald is a German forward playing for EHC Red Bull München in the DEL. A product of Germany’s development system, he broke out in 2023–24, leading all U20 players in scoring and earning Rookie of the Year honors.

He has continued to produce steadily, posting solid numbers in recent seasons while contributing in the playoffs. This season, he's got 12 goals and 26 points in 38 games for  Munich EHC. 

Known for his skill, speed, and versatility, Oswald also plays a reliable two-way game. Undrafted in the NHL, he attended the Toronto Maple Leafs development camp in 2024.

Austin Kelly of Dobber Prospects writes, "In the 2024 NHL Draft, Veit Oswald was ranked 114th by Central Scouting for just Europeans. I ranked him 67th (and kept myself from ranking him top-64 because of it). "I may consider my entire ranking to be a failure if Veit Oswald does not play a game in the NHL", I had wrote."

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It did not take long for the wheels of justice to turn in regard to a hit by a Florida Panthers player over the weekend.

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Monday that Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen had been fined $5,000.

Their decision comes less than 24 hours after the play in question, which occurred during Sunday’s game between the Panthers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

During the second period and with the puck in Florida’s zone, Penguins forward Rickard Rakell skated behind the Panthers’ net, closely followed by Luostarinen.

As Rakell turned to come back above the goal line from the other side of the net, Luostarinen caught Rakell with a high stick across the face while trying to deny his path back toward the front of the net.

Luostarinen was handed a four-minute double-minor penalty on the play.

NEWS: #TimeToHunt F Eetu Luostarinen has been fined $5,000 (max allowable under CBA) for high-sticking #LetsGoPens F Rickard Rakell. pic.twitter.com/sTzMtkdKH8

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) April 6, 2026

While Rakell and the Penguins didn’t score on the ensuing power play, the veteran forward finished the game with a pair of goals, including the game-winner in a 5-2 victory over the Panthers.

The $5,000 represents the maximum allowable fine amount under the NHL and NHLPA’s collective bargaining agreement.

Luostarinen and the Panthers will be back in action on Tuesday when their road trip continues against the Canadiens in Montreal. 

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Photo caption: Jan 8, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Florida Panthers center Eetu Luostarinen (27) during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)

Florida Panthers assistant GMs Brett Peterson and Sunny Mehta are reportedly drawing interest around the NHL for several available GM jobs. 

The Panthers are considered the model of success at the moment. With three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances, including two wins, the Panthers’ style of play and operations have received plenty of praise.  The Panthers have been able to acquire high-end players and sign them afterwards. 

So it’s no surprise that teams are interested in bringing Peterson and Mehta into their organizations as general managers.

On Saturday, Sportsnet’s NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that Peterson has garnered interest from the Nashville Predators, and Mehta has been discussed for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ vacant role.

Barry Trotz, the current Predators GM, will step down once he finds a suitable candidate. The Predators have reportedly begun interviewing several candidates from around the NHL. 

Peterson is expected to be a strong candidate to land the Predators’ job, and even if he doesn’t, he will likely see interest from other teams.

Predators Ask For Hurricanes GM Tulsky, In-Person Interviews Held For Other CandidatesThe Nashville Predators are one of the more intriguing teams to watch heading into the off-season. A recent report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman indicates that they were denied permission to speak with Carolina Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky, but find out who else is on their radar.

Peterson is set to manage Team USA’s Men’s World Championship roster in 2026. If the Americans perform well and the roster he builds succeeds, his chances of landing a GM role will increase drastically.

As for Mehta and the Maple Leafs, the fit makes a lot of sense, and Friedman believes Mehta will be a factor in the process. 

“He’s been kind of discussed this week, Sunny Mehta, one of the assistant general managers of the Florida Panthers,” mentioned Friedman. “I do think he’s going to be a factor.”

Major Changes Reportedly Expected For Maple Leafs; Doug Armstrong Likely Unavailable For GM RoleThe Toronto Maple Leafs made headlines when firing GM Brad Treliving, but the organization isn’t expected to stop there, as Sportsnet’s insider Elliotte Friedman expects major changes.

Friedman had previously discussed the firing of Brad Treliving and the opinions of MLSE CEO Keith Pelley. Pelley believes the Maple Leafs aren’t using all their resources to the best of their ability.

The Maple Leafs have one of, if not the biggest, analytics departments in the NHL, but under Treliving, Pelley believes they were underutilized. 

This is where Mehta would likely come in. Mehta began working as an analyst for the New Jersey Devils in 2014, before joining the Panthers in 2021. After two seasons, Mehta was promoted to assistant GM and director of analytics. 

With the Panthers success under Mehta and his impact on the analytics department, it’s easy to see why the Maple Leafs would be interested in Mehta’s services.

Panthers GM Bill Zito has built a strong relationship with Mehta and Peterson, but the pair of assistant GMs would likely love the opportunity to run their own NHL front offices. 

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The Calgary Flames made a quiet but telling roster move on Sunday—one that likely signals there’s more to come. Forward Brennan Othmann has been reassigned to the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, a decision driven less by performance and more by timing, rules, and roster strategy.

At first glance, it’s a somewhat surprising call. Othmann has held his own since joining the organization, showing flashes of the offensive upside that made him a sought-after piece at the trade deadline. Acquired from the New York Rangers on March 6 in exchange for prospect Jacob Battaglia, he began his stint in the AHL and quickly contributed, recording five assists in 10 games.

His recall on March 28 offered a brief NHL audition, and he didn’t waste much time making an impression. In just two games with Calgary, Othmann registered a goal and an assist. The underlying numbers weren’t perfect—he posted a minus-4 rating—but that’s not uncommon for a young player adjusting on the fly.

If there’s a bright spot to take from his short NHL stay, it came in his most recent appearance. Othmann scored on March 30 against the Colorado Avalanche, providing one of the few positives in an otherwise rough 9–2 loss at Ball Arena. Not exactly the ideal team result, but individually, it’s a moment he can carry with him.

A Numbers Game

So why send him down now?

The explanation is rooted in the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement. After the trade deadline, teams are limited to five regular call-ups, with only four of those players allowed on the roster at any one time (outside of emergency situations). Othmann was one of those four, and ultimately, the odd man out.

The Flames’ other call-ups have carved out more defined roles. Defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz has been steady on the second pairing, contributing four assists and logging time on the power play. Forward Matvei Gridin has made a strong push in a top-six role, tallying three goals and 10 points in 14 games. Meanwhile, Aydar Suniev—freshly recalled—has yet to debut, but the organization appears intent on getting a closer look at his game before the season wraps up.

Given those circumstances, Othmann becomes the most expendable piece in the short term—not because he hasn’t earned his spot, but because the roster simply doesn’t have the flexibility to keep everyone up.

Following the move, Calgary’s roster now stands at 26 players: two goaltenders, eight defensemen, and 16 forwards. The Flames continue their road trip Tuesday night in Dallas, while Othmann heads back to the Wranglers with confidence, production, and a clear sense that this likely isn’t his last call-up of the season.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to say that Quinton Byfield has not lived up to the hype of a second overall pick, in fact it's a realistic statement. 

Taken with the second overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Byfield has appeared in 333 career games with the Los Angeles Kings and has been a regular in the lineup for the past four seasons. 

The 23-year-old has eclipsed 50 points twice, with his career high of 55 coming in 2023-24. This season, Byfield has 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points in 73 games played. So there's potential for a third straight 50 point season but it would require six points in the last six games. Which is incredibly doable with his recent play.

In his last 10 games, the Kings center has registered 11 points, in the form of seven goals and four assists, including five multi-point efforts. After a very lacklustre majority of the season, it's refreshing to see Byfield perform well, especially while the Kings need it most.

Throughout the season, 'Q' had multiple offensive droughts, including a 10-game span where he failed to record a point. The month of December was also a nightmare for him as he registered just two points in 12 games. 

Coming into this season, there was a high amount of hope that Byfield would begin to reach his potential as he prepared to replace Kings legend Anze Kopitar as the team's first line center. As of now it's unclear that he will be able to fill that role, but if he can keep his hot streak rolling to finish the season and into the playoffs, maybe it becomes a regular occurrence next season.

Quinton Byfield Calls Game In OT, Propels Kings Over Maple LeafsThe Kings used a Quinton Byfield goal in overtime to down the Maple Leafs on a night that meant everything for the Kings' playoff lives.

In the Kings most recent victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night, Byfield scored perhaps the most important goal of the season. As the Kings played in overtime for a whopping 31st time, the 23-year-old buried his second of the night to propel L.A. to a crucial victory in a wild 7-6 game at home.

The line of Alex Laferriere - Byfield - Trevor Moore has performed well as of late, in large part thanks to Byfield.

Interim Head. Coach DJ Smith even had some reassuring words on the play of Byfield and his line.

"That line has been really good. Q gets two tonight. I mean, when your top two lines score like that, typically you win that game going away, you just don't like the way you won. But, Lou Lamoriello told me you never critique a win. And you know, you play 10 games, the best teams in the league win six or seven times out of 10. And you critique those four or three losses, you start picking on the wins, before you know it you're critiquing everything. So we're just going to take the two and we're going to move on."

- DJ Smith on the play of Byfield's line and emphasizes that all wins count the same

Thanks to the heroics of Byfield, the Kings improved to 31-26-19 and are now tied with the Nashville Predators (36-31-9) for the second wild card spot in the west. Both teams have 81 points and teams like the Sharks, Blues, and Jets are hot on their trail.

The next six games could very well be the most important stretch of hockey in Byfield's young career. If he can stay hot and help drag the Kings into the postseason he could completely change the narrative of his 2025-26 season.

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Last year, Montreal Canadiens’ veteran defenseman Mike Matheson saw his power-play minutes melt in front of his very eyes when rookie Lane Hutson showed that he was ready to quarterback the first wave of the man-advantage. Relegated to the second unit, the Pointe-Claire native ended his season with an average of just 1:57 on the power play compared to 3:41 the year before. He also went from 62 points to just 31 on the season, getting just 10 points on the man-advantage, compared to 28 the year before.

This season, with Noah Dobson’s arrival, he’s hardly seen any power-play time at all, averaging just 16 seconds per night, and his time on ice has also diminished from 25:05 to 24:14. Yet, through 74 games, he’s already surpassed his point total from the last campaign with 37 and only one of those points came on the man advantage. Furthermore, he went from a minus-six rating last season to a plus-10 so far this year.

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The improvement stems from the veteran's complete embrace of his new role as a penalty-killing specialist and his formation of a very effective pair with Noah Dobson. While neither has ever been known as a defensive specialist, their pairing has worked well because of their mobility and their strong puck possession, which keeps them on the ice in the offensive end for most of the time. Granted, he can make mistakes here and there, but anybody who spends so much time on the ice is bound to make some, and he has made fewer than last season.

Matheson’s capability to adapt as the Canadiens went through their rebuild showed that he was ready and willing to do whatever the team needed from him, which is what earned him a five-year contract extension. Back when Kent Hughes signed Jake Allen to a two-year contract extension, he described the goaltender as someone who didn’t mind being there for the rough patch, the tree-planting process and growth and who didn’t mind not being there when it was time to enjoy the shade provided by the grown three. Matheson earned the right to be there to enjoy the shade of the grown trees, which is why the GM signed him to a five-year contract extension at the end of November.

On Sunday night at the Bell Center, the Canadiens highlighted the fact that the blueliner had played his 700th NHL game in New Jersey on Saturday night with a congratulatory message on the Jumbotron. The announcement was met with warm applause by the Habs faithful.

At 32, there’s no denying that the rearguard plays an important role for the Canadiens, and if he keeps adapting as the young core matures and progresses, he may very well end up playing in Montreal for the rest of his career. If he spends the five years of his new contract in town, he could play 420 more games with the Sainte-Flanelle, bringing his NHL total to over 1,100, a testament to his longevity and adaptability.

Nice round of applause for #Habs defenceman Mike Matheson, who played his 700th career NHL game Saturday in New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/jmkaPBgmcF

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) April 5, 2026

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With just five games remaining in their regular season, there is still much to be determined for the Vegas Golden Knights.

They could make the playoffs and face the Anaheim Ducks in the first round. They could make the playoffs and face the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. They could win the division and face WC1 (currently the Utah Mammoth) in the first round.

Now, it’s also still technically possible— although extremely unlikely— that the Golden Knights miss the postseason entirely. However, they’d basically have to lose out, and one of San Jose or Los Angeles would have to win out. There’s a reason why Moneypuck gives the Golden Knights a 97.4% chance to make the playoffs.

Regular-season series don’t always mean much in the grand scheme of things. In a seven-game series, coaches can make adjustments to counter their opponent. In an 82-game season, those adjustments are typically broader.That being said, in a tiebreaker situation, looking back on a regular-season series can make all the difference.

The top three spots of the Pacific Division are closer than ever. The Oilers currently hold the top spot with 87 points and the tiebreaker over the Ducks, but the Golden Knights lurk just one point back.

NHL Tiebreaker Protocols

If two or more NHL teams finish the regular season with the same number of points in the standings, playoff seeding is determined by these tiebreakers:

1. Regulation wins

2. Regulation and overtime wins (excluding shootout wins)

3. Total wins

4. Head-to-head points

5. Goal differential

6. Total goals for

Let’s take a look at how the Golden Knights measure up against the other two top teams in the Pacific Division.

Vegas Golden Knights

Regulation wins: 27

Regulation and overtime wins: 34

Total wins: 35

Goal differential: +7

Total goals: 247

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers would hold the tiebreaker with more regulation wins (30).

The Oilers would hold the tiebreaker with more wins in regulation and overtime (39).

The Oilers would hold the tiebreaker with more total wins (39).

The Oilers would hold the tiebreaker with six head-to-head points against the Golden Knights this season.

The Oilers would hold the tiebreaker with a higher goal differential than the Golden Knights (+8).

The Oilers would hold the tiebreaker with a higher total of goals scored than the Golden Knights (265).

Anaheim Ducks

The Golden Knights would hold the tiebreaker with a higher number of regulation wins (the Ducks have 24).

The Golden Knights would hold the tiebreaker with more wins in regulation and overtime (the Ducks have 33).

The Ducks would hold the tiebreaker with more total wins (41).

The Ducks would hold the tiebreaker with six head-to-head points against the Golden Knights this season.

The Golden Knights would hold the tiebreaker with a higher goal differential (the Ducks have a -14).

The Ducks would hold the tiebreaker with a higher total of goals scored than the Golden Knights (257).